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All posts for the day February 6th, 2012

One of the most ‘prescribed’ Feng Shui cure or enhancer for people looking for career luck is the Ru Yi.

It’s one of the most ubiquitous Feng Shui charm. Wearing a RuYi is a very potent Feng Shui symbol that we can utilize to help us in our business dealings. If you want to close a big deal, wear a Ru Yi (also spelled as Ruyi) and it will give you the authority and the leadership that will earn the trust and admiration of the people you’re meeting with.

For those who are assigned to lead a project or a department, or for those who were just promoted, wearing a Ru Yi pendant is a powerful Feng Shui tool to make sure you are able to lead properly and to make sure that you gain the authority that you’ll need.

Also for those people who are looking into getting promoted, the Ru Yi is a powerful Feng Shui tool to ensure this luck.

Since RuYi is really made of metal in the old days. A lot of Feng Shui experts believes that A RuYi pendant should be made of gold. The Chinese also believes that gold is an auspicious metal.

A lot of Feng Shui consultants recommend the Ru Yi for their clients. Few, however, can explain the provenance of the Ru Yi, because unlike other Feng Shui charms, the Ru Yi offered little significance in the everyday life of ancient Chinese.

First, it’s helpful to look at the etymology of the word:

In Chinese, the term Ru Yi is a compound of ru 如 which means “as; like; such as; as if; for example; supposing; be like; be similar; accord with” and yi 意 which means “wish; will; desire; intention; suggestion; thought; idea; meaning; imagination”.

Meanwhile, standard Mandarin uses Ru Yi either as a stative verb meaning “as one wishes, as one likes; according to one’s wishes; following your heart’s desires”, or as an adjective meaning “satisfied, pleased, happy, comfortable”. The word is combined with suanpan 算盤 “abacus” in the expression ruyi suanpan meaning “wishful thinking; smug calculations”.

Scholars have also put forward their own take on the word:

According to Kieschnick, there are two basic theories for the origin of Ru Yi. The first is that it originated from the Sanskrit word anuraddha, which refers to a “ceremonial scepter.” The Buddhist monks who initially used this, later brought this to China transliterated it as analu 阿那律 or translated as Ru Yi.

The second theory is that Ru Yi originated as a backscratcher in early China, and was amalgamated with the Buddhist symbol of authority.

History also has its own theory on the origins of the Ru Yi:

During the Later Han Dynasty (25-220 CE) and Jin Dynasty (265-420 CE), literati and nobles often held the Ru Yi during conversations and other social occasions. It was called a tanbing 談柄 “conversation baton” (cf. the Native American talking stick) and was used much like zhuwei 麈尾 “fly-whisk”, which practitioners of the qingtan 清談 “pure conversation” movement popularized during the Six Dynasties period (220-589 CE).

Meanwhile, Weishu history records a story that when Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei (r. 471-499 CE) wanted to retire from the throne, he tested his sons by letting them choose among a number objects, and the one who selected a bone Ru Yi (symbolizing political rule) became Emperor Xuanwu of Northern Wei (r. 500-515).

Kieschnick (2003:144) concludes “that by the end of the sixth century, what was once held common, begun to take on emblematic significance as the mark of a ruler.” Although the Ru Yi symbolized imperial political power, it differed from the Western royal scepter because Chinese officials and monks commonly used it.

The ca. 886 CE Duyang zabian 杜陽雜編, which is a collection of Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) stories, records that Emperor Wenzong presented an ivory Ru Yi to the scholar Li Xun (d. 835 CE) and said (tr. Kieschnick 2003:145), “The Ru Yi may serve as a lecture baton (tanbing).” From an emblem of power, it has evolved into a tool of discourse.

The ruyi was used in ancient times to give directions or to protect oneself from the unexpected. It was for this reason that it was made or iron, and not on the basis of strictly aesthetic considerations. If you can obtain an old iron ruyi inlaid with gold and silver that sparkle now and then, and if it has an ancient dull color, this is the best. As for ruyi made of natural branches or from bamboo and so on, these are all worthless. (tr. Kieschnick 2003:151)

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 CE), ruyi scepters became luxuriant symbols of political power that were regularly used in imperial ceremonies, and were highly valued as gifts to and from the Emperor of China. Since 3 and 9 are considered lucky numbers in Chinese culture, Qing craftsmen elaborated the traditional handle and head type ruyi into two-headed sanjiang-ruyi “3-inlay ruyi” with precious stones set in both heads and middle of the handle and jiujiu-ruyi “9-9 ruyi” presentational sets of nine. The Qianlong Emperor presented a ruyi to the British ambassador George Macartney in 1793, and in his description (quoted by Kieschnick 2003:139-140), “It is a whitish, agate-looking stone, about a foot and a half long, curiously carved, and highly prized by the Chinese, but to me it does not appear in itself to be of any great value.”

The historical evolution of the Ru Yi has been very colorful. From a simple backscratcher, it has evolved to become a prized icon of political power and wealth as well as an auspicious gift to express one’s expressing best wishes.

In Feng Shui, putting a Ru Yi on top of the table will help give you authority and at the same time be positively noticed by your boss. Wearing a Ru Yi bracelet will also greatly influence personal aura and energy.

Just last night, I was discussing w/ a reader who had her Bazi analysis read that there is a profound difference between how Christians and Buddhists and Taoists look at money. Buddhist and Taoist people are comfortable with money and, in fact, having money is a sign of good karma. Buddhist and Taoist clearly understands that wealth is not bad, its how we look at them, how we handle them, that makes it bad.

The truth is one of the best Feng Shui wealth enhancer we have is given to us by nature. What’s more wonderful is that everyone can use this wealth enhancer regardless of your element, animal zodiac, etc.

The said wealth enhancer is called AMMONITE!

Ammonites are the fossilized, hard shells of extinct mollusks. Their closest relative is the chambered Nautilus from the Pacific and Indian oceans. Ammonites existed for close to 330 million years.

The generic name ammonite was given centuries ago because of its resemblance to the ram-like horns of Ammon, the Egyptian god of life and reproduction. The Chinese also love ammonites because it reminds them of the skin of Chi Lin. (To know more about the Chi Lin please read the my previous post – THE THREE CELESTIAL GUARDIANS.

Ammonite fossils are found in every continent. They are treasured for their appearance and form. Some show very intricate suture patterns, which are created by the complex walls dividing the inside of the shell. Others exude brilliant colors. This beautiful array of colors found in ammonites comes from the light interference by the shell layers. These ammonite shells have been discovered in virtually every naturally occurring color making collectors from all over the world seek after them.

For Feng Shui, especially in increasing sales or wealth enhancement, placing a big ammonite on the wealth area of the establishment will greatly attract the wealth chi. Also, having the sales person, cashier, and owners of the business wear an ammonite necklace will definitely enhance money luck.

My own Ammonite pendant is very similar to this one.

However, the sad truth is that Ammonite can get very expensive. This is largely because its a fossilized mollusk and naturally it doesn’t really ‘replenish’ itself that fast. There are really ‘affordable’ Ammonite in the market, however, and again unfortunately, these are fake ammonites. You also need to go to a reputable seller when buying an Ammonite because it is difficult to differentiate real ammonites from a fake one.

If you can get yourself a real Ammonite, you should, because this is nature’s gift to us to enhance our wealth luck.

The symbol of the Double Happiness is one of the oldest tools used by the Chinese to enhance love and marriage luck. Whenever there’s a wedding, you’ll always see the Double Happiness symbol cut out in red papers and pasted either on the wedding carriage.

Some more traditional Chinese still put the Symbol of the Double Happiness in the Wedding Sedan of the newly married couple. This is in accordance to the age old practice depicted in the picture.

You’ll also see doors of the house, bedroom doors, and the walls pasted with the Double Happiness Symbol.

Again the practice of pasting the symbol of the Double Happiness on walls, doors, headboard of the new matrimonial bed is still practiced today.

In fact, special tea cups, bowls will also have this symbol printed in red.

Even chopsticks will have the Double Happiness symbol.

Special lanterns with the Double Happiness symbol are also brought in to the wedding chamber.

Furthermore, wedding gowns of the bride and groom will have the symbol of Double Happiness embroidered on their clothes using a shiny special red silk thread – this is to ensure more auspiciousness.

In China, Taiwan, the use of the Red Wedding gown is still followed and they still incorporate the Double Happiness symbol on the gown of the bride. In the Philippines, this is usually used during the engagement party.

Special Wedding Abundance Cakes are baked with the Double Happiness Symbol.

Special high end jade carved with the Double Happiness are given to the bride and groom by their parents, this is to bestow upon them a blessing, lately, pure gold jewelry replaced the jade.

A jade Double Happiness pendant is given to the couple. This is usually tied with a red string.

The Chinese has given so much reverence to the symbol that getting married without is a sure sign that the marriage is doomed to fail. Maybe its because of this, the Double Happiness, coupled with their Bazi analysis and other Feng Shui rituals that a lot of Chinese marriages last throughout their lifetime even if most of them are arranged marriages and the couple will more likely have only met the first time on the night of their wedding once all the guest had left.

In modern Feng Shui the symbol of Double Happiness has proven to be one of the most effective love or romantic luck and marriage enhancer. A single woman or man who wants to find their true love can wear the Double Happiness and they will most likely find their partner, specially if their Bazi indicates that they have the Peach Blossom luck.

If you have a partner already, the symbol of Double Happiness will make sure that you stay together, however, please take note that the Double Happiness will also safeguard you with possible future misery, thus it may seemingly ‘ruined’ your relationship, but what it does is take away unsuitable partners.

If your married, the Double Happiness will make sure that you stay happy together and strengthen your love for each other. It helps takes away the involvement of a third party.

If your married, put the symbol of the Double Happiness on the wall by your head board. Please make sure its color red. You can also put one on the Southwest corner of your house.

For single or unmarried couple, you can individually put the symbol of the Double Happiness on the Southwest corner of your room.

Wearing the Symbol of Double Happiness is also very helpful. It doesn’t matter whether it’s made of jade or gold, although for romance luck gold with a little red stone may be more auspicious. This goes for single, unmarried couple, and/or married couple.

A gold Double Happiness pendant is considered very auspicious.

Guys has the option to choose simpler design.

It is recommended that both persons in the partnership should wear the Double Happiness.

The Double Happiness works regardless of your sign, element, etc. The only time that it doesn’t work is when you totally don’t have the Peach Blossom or Romantic luck indicated in your Bazi Chart.